William Robert Curlee

William Robert Curlee
Mr. Curlee, age 92 formerly of Charlotte, NC, passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at The Gardens of Taylor Glen, Concord, NC, after several years of declining health. W. R. will always be remembered for his strong sense of values, his friendliness, his quick wit and sense of humor, and his generosity and concern for others. He never met a stranger, and enjoyed spending time with people from all walks of life, sharing jokes and life stories. He lived his life and faith by being a wonderful family man, friend and mentor.
W. R. was born September 13, 1917 in Marshville, NC, the oldest of five children to Seaborn Curlee and Mary Smith Curlee. He graduated from New Salem High School in 1934 and from Wingate College in 1936 and received his B. S. Degree from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1939. In 1947 he, earned his Masters Degree in education from the University of South Carolina. W. R. served 39 years as a respected educator in both the Mecklenburg County School System and later in the merged Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. He began his career as a teacher at Thomasboro High School. He later was principal of Hoskins, Thomasboro, and Paw Creek Elementary Schools. He valued his relationships with his staff, students and their families and appreciated the opportunity to serve the community. Throughout his career he was known for his integrity and strong leadership, and was honored as CMS Principal of the year. After his retirement in 1981, he was able to devote more time to his hobbies of fishing, hunting and gardening. He was a member of the Charlotte Bass Masters Club. He especially enjoyed working in his garden growing a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, which he generously shared with family and friends.
On November 28, 1942, W. R. married Mildred Helms. They lived and attended church in the communities that he served as principal for most of their married life. A man of great faith, W. R. valued his 15 years of membership at Thomasboro Presbyterian Church, where he was a Sunday School Teacher, Elder and the Clerk of Session. When he became principal of Paw Creek School, he moved his church membership and residence to become a part of that community. He was a member of Paw Creek Presbyterian Church for 43 years. There, he also was a Sunday School Teacher, Elder, Clerk of Session and was active in many other capacities. He enjoyed studying the Bible and used that interest to teach Sunday School for 40 years. Through his involvement in the church, he made many close, life-long friends. In 2003, W. R. and Mildred moved from Charlotte to The Gardens of Taylor Glen, a retirement community in Concord, NC. There, he made many wonderful new friends. While his health permitted, he especially looked forward to the Men's Tuesday night poker game. When he moved into Taylor Glen's Health Care Unit in 2006, he maintained his sense of humor, enjoyed interaction with the nursing staff, and always had chocolate candy on hand for staff and visitors. W. R. was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle , who cared deeply about his family.
Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 66 years, Mildred Helms Curlee, his daughter, Patricia Curlee Black and husband, Tommy, of Lexington, NC, granddaughter, Stephanie Black Wilson and husband, Mike of Midlothian, VA, grandson, Thomas 'Trey' Hilliard Black III and special friend, Rebecca Cardon of Los Angles, CA, and his very special great-grandson, Michael Peter Wilson, Jr. of Midlothian, VA, whose accomplishments, antics, visits, and phone calls to 'Popi' brought much pride and joy in his final years. He is also survived by his brothers, Warren S. Curlee of Barnwell, SC, and Dr. Lewis E. Curlee and wife, Bou of Lincolnton, sisters, Mary Sue Baggs of Concord and Geraldine Barris of Raleigh, his sister-in-law, Evelyn Helms Banker of Charlotte and a number of dear nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, W. R. was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Jennie Curlee of Barnwell, SC, his brother-in-law, Eddie Baggs of Concord, his nieces, Jan Curlee Cowles of Macon, GA, and Marilyn Pharr Baggs of Concord.
A celebration of W. R.'s life will be on Friday, October 30, 2009. Friends and family are invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. graveside service at Forest Lawn West Cemetery, followed by the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church, 7400 Mt. Holly Rd., Charlotte, officiated by Reverend Gary Bryant. Immediately afterward, there will be a reception and receiving of friends in the Christian Fellowship Center.

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